This is the religious ceremony that takes place after a celebration at a banquet hall. I had never stayed around for this part before because by this point, its around 3 in the morning so most people go home.

This is the sacred fire that has to be lit in order for the couple to be officially married. The pink knot that you see in between them is the wedding knot which symbolizes their pledge to one another. Then, they walk around the fire knotted together seven times which symbolizes nourishment, strength, prosperity, happiness, long life, children, harmony and respectability

This is the groom placing a red string around the bride's wrist. The red string is a Hindu religious symbol which represents their belief that their favorite gods are the guiding force in all of their activities So, you will often see many people walking around with numerous red strings around their wrists. They just leave them until they fall off on their own.

I have never heard of this being done before but after the religious ceremony, they played some games. This was the first time I actually saw the bride and groom really smile. In this game, they placed some red colored water and flowers in a round silver plate. And then they put a ring in the plate. Whoever found the ring first won the game.

this picture turned out terrible. But at the VERY end of the 'night' (which was like 6 in the morning) the groom leads the bride away with with the wedding knot. THIS is when the bride's family really broke down and cried. Its a very dramatic culture but it was legitimately sad to see the bride being led away on a rope.

In an awkward and confusing moment, the groom's father actually kept repeating to the bride's family during all of this "she is not yours she is mine"

I asked my friend (the sister in law and great cultural informant) about it. And it turns out, the groom's father has some dementia so this is not actually normal to taunt the bride's family.

Overall, it was an interesting but exhausting experience. It was a happy time for the family so that was neat to see. I always appreciate seeing the things that are universal. Joy. Laughter. Sorrow. Crazy father in laws.